Caribbean nations unite to support Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa

Governments across the Caribbean are mobilizing aid and resources to help Jamaica recover from the devastating passage of Hurricane Melissa, which has left at least 28 dead and caused widespread destruction across the island.

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Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley has pledged that the British Virgin Islands will do everything possible to assist Jamaica.

Speaking in the House of Assembly yesterday, Premier Wheatley expressed heartfelt condolences to the Jamaican people. “On behalf of the Government and people of the Virgin Islands, I extend our deepest sympathy and solidarity to the Government and people of Jamaica. We mourn with them for the lives lost, the homes destroyed, and the communities left reeling in the storm’s aftermath,” he said.

Drawing on the BVI’s own experience with Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, Premier Wheatley reflected on the heartbreak of seeing homes reduced to rubble and lives uprooted. Yet, he highlighted the resilience and determination that arise in the face of such disasters. “We also know the strength that rises from those ruins, the strength of people determined to rebuild, recover, and renew,” he said.

Premier Wheatley confirmed that the BVI government has been in communication with regional partners and agencies to assess Jamaica’s needs and vowed that the territory will assist wherever possible. “Their struggle is our struggle; their resilience is our inspiration,” he added, emphasizing the familial bond shared across Caribbean nations.

The British Virgin Islands’ solidarity comes amid a wider regional response. The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis, led by Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew, announced on November 2 a US$100,000 donation to Jamaica, describing the contribution as “a symbol of our shared resilience and commitment to one another as a Caribbean family.” Drew also encouraged private organisations and individuals in St. Kitts and Nevis to participate in further relief efforts.

Regional aid has been flowing from across the Americas. Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele confirmed that the first of three planes carrying 300 rescuers and 50 tons of humanitarian aid has arrived in Kingston. Trinidad and Tobago dispatched eight shipping containers of supplies under the leadership of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, while Venezuela sent a plane carrying over 10 tons of food, mattresses, and medical supplies. Colombia also mobilized 22 tons of humanitarian relief, including food kits, hygiene kits, bed sets, and mosquito nets, transported via naval vessels.

Hurricane Melissa, the strongest storm of the year, slammed Jamaica’s southwest coast as a Category 5 cyclone, leaving widespread infrastructural damage, flooding, and claiming 28 lives to date.

As Jamaica begins the long road to recovery, leaders across the Caribbean continue to demonstrate solidarity, underscoring the region’s shared history, struggles, and commitment to supporting one another in times of crisis.